NPTX2 — Neuronal Pentraxin 2

NPTX2 — Neuronal Pentraxin 2

Introduction

Nptx2 — Neuronal Pentraxin 2 is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-gene"> [@chang2010]
<div class="infobox-header">NPTX2</div> [@xiao2021]

Overview

NPTX2 — Neuronal Pentraxin 2

Introduction

Nptx2 — Neuronal Pentraxin 2 is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-gene"> [@chang2010]
<div class="infobox-header">NPTX2</div> [@xiao2021]

Overview

NPTX2 — Neuronal Pentraxin 2 is a neuronal pentraxin involved in synaptic plasticity and neuronal signaling.

<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Full Name</span><span class="infobox-value">Neuronal Pentraxin 2</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Symbol</span><span class="infobox-value">NPTX2</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Chromosomal Location</span><span class="infobox-value">7q21.3</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">NCBI Gene ID</span><span class="infobox-value">[4885](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4885)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">OMIM</span><span class="infobox-value">[600336](https://www.omim.org/entry/600336)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Ensembl ID</span><span class="infobox-value">ENSG00000106290</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">UniProt ID</span><span class="infobox-value">[P47972](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P47972)</span></div>
<div class="infobox-row"><span class="infobox-label">Associated Diseases</span><span class="infobox-value">[Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), Parkinson's Disease, Epilepsy</span></div>
</div>

Function

Neuronal Pentraxin 2 (NPTX2), also known as neuronal activity-regulated pentraxin (NARP), is a member of the pentraxin family of calcium-dependent ligand-binding proteins. It is an immediate-early gene that is rapidly induced by neuronal activity and plays a crucial role in synaptic plasticity and circuit refinement.

NPTX2 is secreted and functions as a synaptic adhesion-like molecule that promotes excitatory synapse formation. It is recruited to synapses during activity-dependent plasticity and helps stabilize nascent synaptic connections. The protein binds to the neuronal pentraxin receptor (NPTXR) on presynaptic terminals, facilitating synaptic vesicle clustering and neurotransmitter release.

Key functions include:

• Activity-dependent synaptogenesis
• Synaptic plasticity and memory formation
• Regulation of AMPA receptor trafficking
• Mediation of synapse elimination

Disease Associations

Alzheimer's Disease

NPTX2 is significantly downregulated in Alzheimer's disease brains, particularly in the [hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus) and [entorhinal cortex](/brain-regions/entorhinal-cortex). This loss may contribute to:

• Impaired synaptic plasticity
• Reduced excitatory synaptic transmission
• Cognitive decline

Parkinson's Disease

Alterations in NPTX2 expression have been reported in PD models, suggesting a role in dopaminergic neuron survival and synaptic maintenance.

Epilepsy

NPTX2 upregulation has been observed in epileptic tissue, indicating involvement in aberrant synaptic remodeling during epileptogenesis.

Expression

NPTX2 shows activity-dependent expression in:

• Hippocampus (CA1 pyramidal cells)
• Cerebral [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex) (layers 2-6)
• [Amygdala](/brain-regions/amygdala)
• Basal ganglia
• [Thalamus](/brain-regions/thalamus)

Key Publications

See Also

• [NPTX1](/genes/nptx1) - Neuronal Pentraxin 1
• [NPTXR](/genes/nptxr) - Neuronal Pentraxin Receptor
• [Synaptic Plasticity](/mechanisms/synaptic-plasticity)
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)

Background

The study of Nptx2 — Neuronal Pentraxin 2 has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

External Links

• [NCBI Gene](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/)
• [UniProt](https://www.uniprot.org/)

References

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving NPTX2 — Neuronal Pentraxin 2 discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: